Pharmacy Errors in Virginia

Pharmacists Owe a Duty of Care to Patients in Virginia

Licensed and regulated by the Virginia Board of Pharmacy, pharmacists have a very important job. They’re responsible for ensuring the medication you receive is correct and safe. In legal terms, pharmacists owe a “duty of care” to their patients. This duty of care means pharmacists must follow specific standards to ensure no mistakes are made when filling prescription drugs. If a pharmacist doesn’t follow these rules and makes a mistake, they can be held responsible for any harm to the patient.

Types of Pharmacy Errors

Unfortunately, several types of pharmacy errors can happen. These medication mistakes can be dangerous, and in some cases, they can cause serious injury or even be life-threatening.

Wrong Medication

One of the most serious pharmacy dispensing errors is giving a patient the wrong medication. This can happen if the pharmacist misreads the prescription or confuses one medication with another.

Taking the wrong medication can cause a range of problems, from minor side effects to serious health complications. For example, if a person who needs heart medication is accidentally given a medication meant for something else, it could have dangerous consequences.

Wrong Dosage

Another common mistake is giving a patient the incorrect dosage of medication. This could mean that the patient receives too much or too little of the medicine they need. If a patient receives too much of a medication, they could overdose, which can be extremely dangerous. On the other hand, if they receive too little, the medication might not work as intended, which could delay recovery or worsen their condition.

Failure to Note Allergies or Drug Interactions

Pharmacists are also responsible for checking a patient’s medical history to ensure that a prescribed medication won’t cause harmful interactions with other drugs or trigger an allergic reaction. Failing to do this can result in serious health issues. For instance, if a pharmacist doesn’t notice that a patient is allergic to a specific drug and that drug is prescribed, the patient could suffer a severe allergic reaction.

How to Prove Negligence in Pharmacy Error Cases in Virginia

If a pharmacy has made an error that harmed you, you might wonder how to hold the pharmacist or pharmacy accountable for their actions. In legal terms, this involves proving negligence. To prove negligence in a pharmacy error case, you must show that the pharmacist did not meet the standard of care they owed you.

Here are the key elements that need to be proven:

• Duty of Care: You must first show that the pharmacist owed you a duty of care. This is usually easy to prove because pharmacists have a duty to all their patients.
• Breach of Duty: You must prove that the pharmacist breached this duty by giving you the incorrect medication or the wrong dose.
• Causation: You must prove that the pharmacist’s mistake directly caused your injury or illness.
• Damages: You must show that you suffered damages due to the pharmacy error. This could include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering.

Compensation for Medication Errors

If you prove that a pharmacy error caused you harm, you may be entitled to financial compensation to help cover the costs and losses you’ve experienced. Some of the types of compensation you might be able to receive include:

• Medical Expenses: This includes the cost of any medical treatment you need due to the pharmacy error, such as doctor visits, hospital stays, or additional medication.
• Lost Wages: If you had to miss work because of the injury or illness caused by the pharmacy error, you may be able to recover lost wages.
• Pain and Suffering: This refers to compensation for the physical and emotional pain you experienced due to the error.
• Punitive Damages: In some cases, the court may award punitive damages. These are meant to punish the pharmacist or pharmacy for particularly reckless behavior and to deter others from making similar mistakes.

Contact a Virginia Pharmacy Error Attorney at Regan Zambri Long

Our Virginia Personal Injury Lawyers team has earned the trust and respect of clients and fellow lawyers for over twenty years. We’ve won over $1 billion in record-setting verdicts and settlements and take pride in offering personalized attention to each client. Our deep understanding of insurance companies’ work allows us to create a customized strategy for your case that produces optimal results.

Regan Zambri Long’s record of success and satisfied clients shows our dedication to securing the compensation that malpractice victims deserve. We have the resources to handle even the most challenging cases, and our attorneys bring decades of experience in negotiating with insurance companies and presenting cases before a jury. While we aim for fair settlements, we are always ready to go to trial if necessary. We work closely with investigators and healthcare experts to build a strong case on your behalf.

If pharmacy prescription errors in Virginia have harmed you or a loved one, seeking legal help is important. Regan Zambri Long attorneys have experience handling pharmacy error cases and can help you understand your rights and options. We know the ins and outs of the legal system, and we’ll fight for the compensation you deserve.

Don’t wait to get the help you need—contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation to start getting your life back on track.